How to Claim Pag-IBIG Death Benefit?
Probably, you’re reading this because someone died in the family. I know it’s hard. It’s emotionally draining, but at the same time, you’ve got to manage several things. You must settle the hospital bills, process the death certificate, get a funeral service, secure a permit for excavation if needed, prepare the lot for interment, consolidate the estate, and claim death benefits from the employer, SSS, and Pag-IBIG. With all the things on your plate, you need someone or something to guide you. Thus, I’ll share my experience claiming a Pag-IBIG death benefit.
Search for Pertinent Documents
In our family, we don’t keep records in a single place. So when it happened to us, we turned our house upside down, searching for papers. It made us realize the importance of organization. So starting from there, we bought several portfolio folders to organize it and help our family should we face it again.
Preparing Ahead
Sadly, my family can only claim against Pag-IBIG and SSS. I must say that it’s a small amount of money, but we have to move forward. In my case, I assumed most of the responsibilities left by my father. Of course, it’s not that I want it, but because I have to. From there, it made me realize the importance of dividing money into three things: past, present, and future.
The past means that you have to settle your debts and other deficits. The present is for your needs and wants. Lastly, the future is all about saving, investing, and getting a life insurance plan to help the family cope with the financial burdens when the breadwinner is gone.
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How to Claim Pag-IBIG Death Benefit
I processed the Pag-IBIG death benefit for my father when I returned to work. At that time, I was working in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. I could not afford to skip work, so I looked for the nearest Pag-IBIG branch near my workplace. It so happens that there is one along Shaw Boulevard. I went there at lunchtime, and I was able to get the claim check in three visits.
1. Go to the nearest Pag-IBIG Branch
Firstly, search for the most convenient Pag-IBIG branch in your area. On your first visit, inquire about the member’s total accumulated value (TAV), process, and requirements. So make sure to have a document that contains the Pag-IBIG member ID number for easier verification.
But fret not if you don’t have any. Pag-IBIG can still search it based on the member’s given name. You may ask them about the requirements needed to claim the benefit. But remember that the required documents are different if the member is single, married, has children, etc.
Here are the requirements for filing a Pag-IBIG death benefit:
Requirements
- Application for Provident Benefits (APB) Claim Form
- Death Certificate of the Member issued by PSA or by Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO)
- Notarized Proof of Surviving Legal Heirs
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by PSA (if the deceased is single)
- Marriage Contract and Advisory on Marriage issued by PSA (If the deceased member is married)
- Birth Certificate issued by PSA or Baptismal/Confirmation Certificate of all children (If with child/children)
- Notarized Affidavit of Guardianship
- Birth Certificate issued by PSA or Baptismal/Confirmation Certificate of deceased member/claimant
- Notarized Non-availability of Birth Record issued by PSA and Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons
2. Submit the required documents
Based on my experience, it is easy to claim from Pag-IBIG because they accept baptismal certificates in replacement for PSA copies. They also accept death certificates from the city hall. Did you know it takes about 3 to 6 months to get a PSA copy of a death certificate?
Unlike the SSS, they require a PSA copy of the death certificate.
Submit all the requirements on your second visit. Usually, you can ask them when your check is available, and don’t forget to ask for a phone number.
3. Collect and encash the cheque
Pag-IBIG can process your claim in two days. So go and collect your check on your third visit. If there are several claimants, the money will be divided equally among them. In our case, my siblings and I shared the money. But it’s too much hassle to cash the check separately. Just like what we have done, you can also have the other claimant sign a waiver, so there’s no need for everyone to go to a bank.
And that’s how easy it is to claim a Pag-IBIG death benefit.
Don’t forget to use the money for your past, present, and future. Good luck!
*****
Ton is an electronics engineer, financial blogger, insurance agent, and a certified investment solicitor. A multi-awarded financial advisor with clients ranging from lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, business owners, company directors, and OFWs to minimum wage earners had sought advice from him in achieving lifetime financial freedom.
